Local Charlie Awards seeks nominations for fave chefs, restaurants

There are big changes brewing with the seventh annual Charlie Awards, which celebrate the local culinary community.

The awards, which will be held Feb. 25 at the Pantages Theatre, have new producers — FoodService News has taken charge of the awards. But the biggest news of all might be that nominations for the awards have been opened up to the public.

Award categories have been modified and now include 10 different awards, from rising star to lifetime achievement.

The afterparty has moved, too, to neighboring Seven Steakhouse. Afterparty food will be prepared by culinary students, as usual.

In another change from previous years, a VIP dinner, which had been held the same night as the award ceremony, will take place two weeks after the ceremony at the Charlie Awards’ longtime nonprofit partner, Open Arms of Minnesota (2500 Bloomington Ave. So., Minneapolis). The white-tablecloth dinner will feature cuisine from last year’s restaurant of the year, Joan’s in the Park, and outstanding chef winner J.D. Fratzke.

Awards founders Scott Mayer and Sue Zelickson will continue to serve as consultants and on the board of the volunteer advisory committee to the Charlies.

To nominate your favorite chefs, restaurants, bartenders and more, or to purchase tickets, which are $25 per person, go to charliesexceptionale.com. Tickets for all three events, including the VIP dinner, are $125 and are also available on the website.